Ližnjan

Ližnjan, Travel Guide with travel tips for holidays in Ližnjan, Croatia

Ližnjan is located on the seaboard of Croatia, facing the Adriatic sea, and is a mere sixty-one meters above sea level. It is a small village on the southern tip of Istria, and it's economy is dependent on farming, fishing and tourism. Locals are known for their horsemanship, and horseback riding is a leisure activity enjoyed by many locals and visitors.

Ližnjan was first mentioned historically in 990 AD on a limestone plate with indigenous ornamentation which was found in the area. Other artifacts such as a limestone capital and an early Christian lamp have been found in the nearby Kuje Bay, indicating that Ližnjan was occupied and Christian since the 10th century. Croatia became part of the Communist republic of Yugoslavia after WWII, and became an independent nation in 1991. The fighting involved in the breakup of Yugoslavia largely bypassed Ližnjan, however nearby northern areas were still in dispute until 1998.

Ližnjan is a quiet, relatively undeveloped village with no museums or noisy nightlife, making it ideal for vacationers wishing to get away from the typical vacation experience. Ližnjan is known for it's many famous restaurants, which emphasize local cuisine and use fresh locally grown ingredients. The Galiola is considered to be the primo establishment of Ližnjan, specializing in pastas and scampi. There are also a number of wine bars in Ližnjan, and even wineries which can be visited and wine tastings are held regularly. Ližnjan is ideal for persons wishing to experience food as it was before modernization, and many of Ližnjan's restaurants work with techniques refined over a thousand years of local tradition. There are also a number of olive groves in the region.

Ližnjan is known for clean, quiet waters and large rocky beaches which are ideal for swimming and boating. Snorkeling and SCUBA diving is encouraged and necessary gear may be rented locally. Horseback riding is encouraged, as is biking and hiking, and many trails and guides are available for anyone wishing to enjoy the outdoors. There are many wild and undeveloped regions ideal for rustic hikers, and rare species of bird such as the Bee-Eater can be observed by patient birdwatchers. There are also a number of game reserves which permit visitors to hunt small game such as rabbits and pheasants.

Ližnjan is easily accessed by arriving in Medulin via boat and then taking the Medulin-Sisan road north. It may also be accessed via boat from Medulin, which is a major tourism hub.